Ophthalmoscope.



No. 725,483. y PATENTED APR. l, 1903.

S. A. RHODES.

OPHTHALMOSGOPE.

APPLIATION FILED SEPT. 15. 1902. l N0 MODEL. s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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No. 725,483. PATENTED APR. 14, 1903.

` s. A. RHODES.

OPHTHALMOSGOPE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED snm'. 15. 1902.

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PATENTED APR. 14, 1903.

S. A. RHODES. OPHTHALMOSGOPE. APPLwATloN FILED SEPT. 15. 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES PAT-ENT OFFICE.

SETI-I A. RHODES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

oPHTHALMosCo'PE.

' l l I SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 725,483, datedApril 14, 1903.

' Application led Septemberl, 1902. Serial No. 123,424. (No model.) v

To afZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SETE A. RHODES, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois,

have invented certain new and useful Improvelnents in Ophthalmoscopes,of which the following is declared to be a full, clear, and exactdescription.

The invention relates to that class of optical instruments used byoculists and others direct method.

The ophthalmoscope generally employed at the present time is a plane orspherical mirror having a central -peep-hole and is held in the hand ofthe operator before his own eye in proper position to reflect a ray oflight from a light-screen to the eye of the patient, while suitablelenses are held in the operators'hand in line between the patients eyeand the mirror. Such instruments must usually be employed in a darkroom, and considerable skill and time are required in making the test,to the great inconvenience both o the patient and the operator.

The present invention provides an instru-- ment which comprises apreferably open frame adapted at one end t0 position the pa tients headand having a light-screen and a mirror mounted in proper relativeposition at Vlike designation throughout, Figure 1 is a View inelevation ofrthe improved instrument. Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1with parts shown in vertical section. Fig. 3 is a plan viewof'theimproved instrument. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are enlarged detailed sections onlines 4 4 and 5 5, respectivelyyof Fig. 2. Fig. Gis an enlarged detailedsection on line 6 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is an end View showing themirrordisk and lens-carrier. Figs. 8 and 9 are detailed sections ofparts shown in Fig. 2.

The instrument is mounted upon a suitable base A, provided lwith,end-supportsI or legs ct. At the outer end of the instrument, which isadapted for the patient, is provided a tubular standard bg, which isthreaded or otherwise suitably secured upon the base A. the top of thestandard b is threaded a suitable head-rest for the patient, whichpreferablycomprises an open oval frame B, eX-

tendi'ng laterally at either side to iit againstplate c, and its lowerend projects downwardly within the base portion A. A shiftlever 11 ispivoted at l2 within Athe base, and

its free end loosely engages the lower end of the rod 10. Anadjusting-screw 13 for the chin-rest extends through the base portion Aand through an opening formed in the lever '11 and is provided at itslower end with a nut 14, while a spring 15, interposed between the baseportion andthe lever 1l, holds the latter against the nut 14. By thismeans the chin-rest'may be quickly adjusted to the desired position. Atthe opposite end of the base A, upon an upwardly-extending portion 16,is mounted a slide D, which reciprocates lengthwise of the instrumentupon suitable guides. A rack-section 17, fixed to the under side of theVslide D, engages a pinion 18, mounted to revolve upon a shaft 19. Theshaft 19 is suitably journaled in the base A and is provided at itsouter end with an adjusting thumb-piece 20. (See Fig. 1.)

The outer tubular section E of a vertically-` IOO adjustable standard issuitably secured to the 1 telescoped to slide within the outer sectionE. A rack 2l is secured to the inner face of the tubular section E andis engaged by a pinion 22, asindicated. The pinion 22 is journaled upona shaft 23, which extends through a slot in the inner section E' and isjournaled in a suitable bearing 24, fixed to the outer tubular sectionE. By means of a thumb-piece 25 on the outer end of the shaft 23 thestandard-section E' may be quickly adjusted to any desired height.Preferably a guide-block 26, fixed to the outer section E, extendswithin a vertical slot formed in the inner section E.

A horizontal support or arm F is mounted to swing in a horizontal planeupon the upper end of a vertical adj ustable standard E E', and for thispurpose a pivot-piece 27 is mounted to turn within the upper end of thetubular standard-section E. The supporting-arm F is preferably connectedto the pivot-piece 27 by a hinged joint, so as to swing through a slightarc in a vertical plane. This hinge comprises the plate-piece 28, fixedto the upper end of pivot-piece 27, and the plate 30,

p which is hinged thereto, as at 31, and which is suitably connected tothe arm F. An adjusting-screw 32, threaded through the outer end of theplate 28, engages the outer end of the plate 30 and serves to tilt thesupport F and the parts carried thereby through a slight arc. A headedstop-pin 33 extends through an opening in the plate 28 and is fixed tothe plate 30 and serves to limit this vertical movement of the supportF.

As previously stated, the support F and the parts carried thereby mayswing upon a horizontal plane upon theupper end of the standard E E; butto eifect an accurate adjustment of the supportF in a horizontaldirection the latter is preferably journaled upon a suitable pivot-piece34, fixed to the plate 30, and at the inner end of plate 30 is mounted anut 35, through which is threaded an adjusting-screw36,whichisjonrnaled,asindicatedin Fig. 4, within downwardly-dependingiianges upon the supporting-arm F. .A thumb-piece 37 upon screw 36 maybe thus manipulated to swing the support F and parts carried therebythrough a small arc in a horizontal direction.

An upright supporting-collar 38 is mounted upon the inner end of the armF and carries in any suitable manner an object glass or lens G. Anobject glass or lens G is preferably provided on opposite sides with thelaterally-extending shades or light-shields 39 and 40, which arepreferably tubular in form and, if desired, may be lined withlight-absorbing black cloth. The tubular shade 40 may be provided, ifdesired, with a diaphragm 4l to obstruct dispersed rays of light.

A vertical mirror-support 42, carrying on its face a plane or sphericalmirror 43, is provided with a horizontally-extending projection or arm44 at its lower end and is held in place upon the outer end of the'arm Fby a vertical bolt 45. The mirror 43 and its support 42 are providedwith a central peep-hole for the operator.

A light-screen is mounted upon the supporting-arm F to one side of theline of sight between said mirror and said object-glass and preferablycomprises a cylindrical body 46, of sheet metal or asbestos-board, and atubular shield 47, secured to the cylinder 46 about a side openingthereto. The cylinder 46 is preferably provided with spring-clips 48 tosupport an electric or gas lamp or other suitable light-supply, and theshield 47 may, if desired, serve to support a condensing-lens,diaphragm, or ground-glass window. The light-screen is mounted upon thesupportingarm F in opposed relation with reference to the mirror 43 andmay be secured, as indicated, within an arc-shape projection 49 of thesupporting-arm F.

As clearly indicated in Fig. 3, -the lightscreen, mirror, andobject-glass are so positioned that the rayfrom the light-screen will beprojected by the mirror through the object-glass to the patients eye.The mirrorsupport 42 is preferably pivotally mounted upon the bolt 45 toswing in a horizontal plane in order that the ray of light from thelightscreen may be accurately projected through the object-glass to thepatients eye. To effect this adjustment, the arm 44 is provided wth apin 50, (see Fig. 5,) which projects downwardly within a depressionformed in the upper face of the arm F and may be engaged on oppositesides by adj usting-screws 52, threaded through the side walls of thedepression.

Preferably a lens-carrier is mounted adjacent the outer face of themirror-support 42 and may comprise, as indicated, a centrallypivoteddisk 53, carrying near its edge a series of lenses 54 and so arrangedthat the lenses may be moved before the peep-hole in the mirror-supportand mirror.

The use of the instrument will be readily understood by those skilled inthe art. The patients head is placed in stationary position on chinrestC and against the open head-rest B. The frame F is adj usted to properheight and swung in a horizontal plane for the examination of eithereye. In Fig. 3, for example, the instrument is positioned for theexamination of the patients left eye. The instrument may be accuratelypositioned to throw the beamof lightinto the patients eye; but means ofadjusting thumbpieces 32 and 37 and the support F and the object-glassG, carried thereby, may be tilted in a vertical plane by adjusting screw32 to throw the annoying reflect from the cornea of the eye underexamination off of the operators field of view. In instrumentsheretofore used great difficulty has been experienced in linding thepatients eye-/. c., properly directing the beam of light into the pupilof the patients eye. The beam is preferably directed into the pupil nearits outer edge, so

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the eye under examination.

as not'to strike directly up'on `the sensitive portion of the retina,and` thus contract the pupil. Withthepresentinstrument,in which thepatients head is firmly positioned within the open head-rest and inwhich the movable parts of the instrument, including the'tubular shieldabout'the object-lens, terminate short of the head-rest, the instrumentmay be nicely adjusted 'by the operator beforelook- `ing through thepeep-hole mirror to direct tor and the patient, 'are thereby saved. The

object glass or lens G is of such strength that by adjusting the frame Fon standard E E back and forth by manipulating the thumbpieces 20 thereiected rays from the eye under examination' may be brought to a focusto form a well-.defined `inverted image of the -fundus of the eye.

By providing the laterally-extending shade on opposite sides oftheiobject-lens Gimages of surrounding objects will be cut out of thefield of View and the image of the fundus of the eye rendered clear anddistinct.

It will be observed thatI have provided an open-framed instrument vwhichmay be usedA without resort to a dark/ room and which will give aclearly-defined image of the fundus of It is obvious that numerouschanges may be'made inV the details of construction; if desired. Othermeans may be provided for adjusting the supporting-arm F to a properyposition and for focusing the obj ect-glass G. So,also, if desired,

the mirror and lightscreen may be arranged to shift from side by side,as indicated in prior Letters Patent ofthe United States, issued to meSeptember 16, 1902, No. 709,359. S0, also, other forms oflens-carriers'may be mounted adjacent the front side of the -mirror atthe operators endof the instrument. Other changes may be madeby'individuals skilled in the art without departure from the essentialsof the invention as defined by the claims. n'

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

l. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable frame, an object-lens and a' mirrorhaving a peephole mounted on said frame in opposed relation, alight-screen'inounted on said frame to one side of the line of saidmirror and objectlens and a shade for said lens.

2. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable frame, an object-lens and a mirrorhaving a peephole mounted on said frame in opposed relation, alight-screen mounted on saidframe, to one side of the line of saidmirror and object-lens, a shade for said lens and means for focusingsaid lens carried by said frame.

3. yIn ophthalmoscopes, a suitable base, a vertical standard on saidbase, a horizontal support'car'ried by said standard, avertically-disposed object-lens and a verticallydisposed mirrorhaving apeep-hole mounted upon said horizontal support in opposed relation, ashade arranged on oppositesides of said object-lens, a light-screencarried by said support to one side of the line of said Y mirror andobject-lens and means for focusing said object-lens.

4. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable base, a .1

supporting-standard carried by said base, a supportvmounted to swing inahorizontal plane upon the` upper end `of said standard, means forvertically adjusting said support,

an object-lens and a mirror having a peephole mounted on said support inopposed relation, a light-screen carried on said support to one side ofthe line of said mirror and object-lens, a shade laterally extending onopposite sides of. said object-lens and means for focusing saidobject-lens. y

5. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable base, a vertically-adjustable standardmounted on said base, ahorizontalsupporting-arm mounted to swing in ahorizontal plane upon the upper end of said standard, an object-lens anda mirror having a peepfhole mounted upon opposite ends of saidsupporting-arm, a light-screen mounted on said supporting-arm to oneside of the line of said mirror and object-lens, a tubular shadearranged on opposite sides of said lens and means for adjusting saidsupporting-arm to and from the ends of the instrument. Y

6. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable frame adapted at one end for thepatient, a mirror having a peep-hole mounted at the opposite end, anobject-lens mounted upon said frame between its ends and inthe line ofsight between said mirror and the patients eye, and a light-screencarried by said frame to one side of the lineof said mirror andobject-lens, the parts being so positioned that the ray of light fromthe light-screen is reflected bythe mirror through the obj ect-lens tothe patients eye and the object-lens being adapted to form a real imageof the fundus of the patients eye.

7. In ophthalmoscopes, agsuitable frame adapted at oneA end for thepatient, a mirror having a peep-hole mounted at the opposite end, anobject-lens mounted on said frame between its ends and in the line ofsight between said mirror and the Vpatients eye, a light-screen carriedby said frame to one side of the line of said mirror and object-lens andmeans for focusing the object-lens,the ylatter being adapted to form areal image of the fundus of the patients eye. i

8. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable frame,

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means at one endof said frame for securely positioning the patientshead,'a mirror having a peep-hole mounted at the opposite end of theframe, an object-lens mounted upon .said frame between its ends and inthelinev of sight between said mirror and the patients eye, a shade forsaid lens and alight-screen carried by said frame to oneside of the lineof said mirror and object-lens, the latter being adapted to form a realimage ofthe fund us of the patients eye.

9. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable frame, means at one end forpositioning the patienls head, a mirror having a peep-hole mounted atthe opposite end of the frame, an objectlens mounted on said framebetween its ends and in the line of sight between said mirror and thepatients eye, a shade arranged on opposite sides of said object-lens,means for focusing said lens and a light-screen mounted on said frame toone side of the line of said mirror and obj ect-lens, the latter beingad apted to forma real image of the fundus of the patients eye.

10. In ophthalmoscopes, a frame comprising a suitable base, means at oneend for positioning the patients head, a support independent of saidmeans and mounted at the opposite end, an obj ect-lens and a mirrorhaving a peep-hole mounted on said support in opposed relation and alight-screen carried by said support to one side of the line of saidmirror and eyepiece.

11. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable frame comprisinga base, a head-restmounted at one end of said base, a horizontal support mounted to swingin a horizontal plane at the opposite end, an object-lens and a mirrorhaving a peep-hole mounted on said support in opposed relation, meansfor focusing said lens and a light-screen carried by said support to oneside of the line of said mirror and eyepiece.

12, In ophthalmoscopes, a frame comprising a base, a head-rest at oneend of said base, a standard at the opposite end of said base, ahorizontalsupport mounted to swing in a horizontal plane upon the upperend of said standard, means for vertically adjusting said support, anobject-lens and a mirror having a peep-hole mounted on said support inopposed relation and a light-screen carried by said support to one sideof the line of said mirror and lens.

13. In ophthalmoscopes, a frame comprising a base, a suitable head-restat one end, a horizontal support mounted to swing in a .horizontal planeat the opposite end, an ob-` ject-lens and a mirror having a peep-holemounted on said support in opposed relation, a light-screen carried bysaid support to one side of the line of said mirror and lens and a shadelaterally extending arranged on opposite sides of said lens, said shieldterminating short of said head-rest.

14. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable base, a head-rest at o end, ahorizontal support at the opposite end, an object-lens and a mirrorhaving a peep-hole mounted on said support in opposed relation, a shadefor said objectlens terminating short of said head-rest and alight-screen on said support to one side of the line of said mirror andlens.

15. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable base, means at one end forpositioning the patients head, an adjusting-standard mounted at theopposite end, a horizontal support pivoted to swing in a horizontalplane upon the upper end of said standard, an object-lens and a mirrorhaving a peep-hole mounted on opposite ends of said support, a lightscreen mounted on said support to one side of the line of said mirrorand lens and means for focusing said lens.

16. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable base, adjustable means at one end forpositioning the patients head, a supporting-standard at the oppositeend, a support pivoted to swing in a horizontal plane upon the upper endof said supporting-standard,an object-lens and a mirror having apeep-hole mounted on opposite ends of said support, a light-screen onsaid support to one side of the line of said mirror and lens, a shadefor said object-lens and means for focusing said lens.

17. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable base, a head-rest mounted at one end,a supportingstandard at the opposite end, a support pivoted to swing ina horizontal plane upon the upper end of said standard, an object-lensand a mirror having a peep-hole mounted on opposite ends of saidsupport, a light-screen on said support to one side of the line of saidmirror and lens and means for adjusting said support to and from saidhead-rest.

18. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable open frame comprising a base, ahead-rest mounted on said base at one end of the instrument,avertically-adjustable standard mounted on said base at the opposite end,a horizontally-disposed supporting-arm pivoted to swing in a horizontalplane upon the upper end of said adjustable standard, an object-lens anda mirror having a peep-hole mounted on opposite ends of saidsupporting-arm, a tubular shade laterally extending on opposite sides ofsaid object-lens, means for focusing said lens and a light-screencarried by said supporting-arm to one side of the line of said mirrorand lens.

19. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable base, a head-rest having anadjustable chin-support at one end of said base, an adjusting-standardat the opposite end, a support mounted to swing in a horizontal planeupon the upper end of said standard, an object-lens and a mirror havinga peep-hole mounted upon the opposite ends of said support, alaterallyextending shade for said object-lens termihating short of saidhead-rest, a light-screen on said support to one side of the line ofsaid mirror and lens and means for adjusting said support to and fromsaid head-rest.

20. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable base, a head-rest at one endvertically adjustable, a horizontal swinging support at the oppositeend, an object-lens and a mirror having a peep-hole mounted on saidsupport in opposed relation, a shade for said lens, means for focusingsaid lens and a light screen mounted on said support to one side of saidmirror and lens.

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.on the opposite side of said lens, means for focusing said lens and alight-screen carried on said support to one side of the line of saidlens and mirror.

22. In ophthalmoseopes, a frame comprising a suitable base, a head-restat one end, a standard mounted on said base, a horizontally-disposedsupport pivoted to swing iu a horizontal plane on said'standard, anobjectlens and a mirror having a peep-hole mounted on the opposite endsof said support, a light-screen carried on said support to one side ofthe line of said mirror and lens and means for tilting said support in avertical plane upon the upper end of said standard.

with and to one side of the line of said mirror and object-lens, saidmirror being adjustable abouta Vertical axis and means for focusing saidobject-lens.

24. In ophthalmoscopes, a suitable base, a standard on said base, a'horizontallyfdisposed support mounted upon the upper end of saidstandard, a mirror havingapeep-hole andan object-lens mounted on saidsupport in opposed'relation, a light-screen mounted on said support toone side of the line of said mirror and object-lens, means for focusingsaid lens and a lens-carrier mounted adjacent the outer face of saidmirror. p

25. In ophthalmoseopes, a suitable open frame comprising a base, ahead-rest at one end of said base, an adjusting-standard at the`opposite end of said base, a horizontal supporting-arm pivoted to swingupon the upper end of said standard, an object-lens and a mirror havinga peep-hole mounted upon opposite ends of said supporting-arm, a shadelaterally extending on opposite sides of said lens and terminating shortof said head-rest, means for focusing said lens and a light-screen onsaid supporting-arm to one side of the line of said mirror and eyepiece;

SETH A. RHODES.

Witnesses:

ALBERTA ADAMICK, HARRY L. CLAPP.

